Sister M. Giovanni Merrick, IHM

Sister M. Giovanni Merrick, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Sunday, June 13, 1971, at the Marian Convent in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

She was born on December 15, 1887 in Avoca, Pennsylvania, and given the name Mary. She was the daughter of the late James and Mary Ann Curran Merrick. She entered the IHM Congregation on March 24, 1911, received the religious habit on August 2, 1912, and made profession of her vows on August 3, 1914.

Sister Giovanni served as a teacher at the following schools: St. Rosalia School in Pittsburgh, PA, from 1914 to 1916; St. Alphonsus School in New York, NY, from 1916 to 1917; St. Rose School in Carbondale, PA, from 1917 to 1926 and 1932 to 1937; St. Patrick School in Scranton, PA, from 1926 to 1928 and 1942 to 1945; St. John the Evangelist School in Scranton, PA, from 1928 to 1932; St. Cecilia School in Exeter, PA, from 1937 to 1939; St. John the Evangelist School in Pittston, PA, from 1939 to 1942; St. Mary of the Mount School in Pittsburgh, PA, from 1945 to 1947; St. Leo School in Ashley, PA, from 1947 to 1948, St. Joseph School in Williamsport, PA, from 1948 to 1954; and St. Patrick School in Olyphant, PA, from 1954 to 1957.  

From 1957 until the time of her death, Sister Giovanni served as a prayer minister at the Marian Convent.

She was preceded in death by four sisters, Illa, Anna, Agnes Catherine Gavin, and her twin, Sister Mary Annunciata Merrick, RSM, and three brothers, Patrick, Charles Anthony and James Joseph.

She is survived by a brother, John Bartholomew, and several nieces and nephews.

Interment is at St. Catherine’s Cemetery in Moscow, Pennsylvania.

Memorial contributions may be made to support the retired IHM Sisters c/o the IHM Sisters Retirement Fund, IHM Center, 2300 Adams Avenue, Scranton, PA 18509.